Two-way traffic reopens on State Route 107 Chehalis River Bridge in Montesano

By Dan Hammock • May 5, 2021 4:59 pm
COURTESY STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Rognlin’s Construction crews finished paving the south approach of State Route 107 Chehalis River Bridge in Montesano Tuesday. The bridge, limited to one-way alternating traffic during a two-year rehabilitation project, opened to two-way traffic Wednesday.
COURTESY STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Rognlin’s Construction crews finished paving the south approach of State Route 107 Chehalis River Bridge in Montesano Tuesday. The bridge, limited to one-way alternating traffic during a two-year rehabilitation project, opened to two-way traffic Wednesday.

After two years of one-way alternating traffic and a lot of concrete, the State Route 107 Chehalis River Bridge near Montesano reopened to two-way traffic Wednesday.

The bridge, constructed in 1958, has seen extensive rehabilitation as part of a two-year project to preserve the crossing. A temporary signal has alternated travelers across the bridge while work was underway on the route, a popular bypass for travelers between the eastern parts of the county and the beaches.

Wednesday, Rognlin’s Construction crews finished final paving and guardrail installation. Crews have minor site cleanup items to tend to that will not affect travelers, according to the state Department of Transportation.

“We want to thank people for their patience as we worked to restore the bridge,” said Department of Transportation Project Engineer Karen Boone. “This work reduces maintenance frequency and costs to taxpayers by replacing the deteriorated timber pilings and protects the steel structure against corrosion.”

Gone are the wood timbers that supported the south bridge approach. In their place are 12 concrete shafts, ranging from 6-10 feet in diameter and sunk deep into the ground — the 10-footers are set 95 to 140 feet deep. The 731-foot span has 36 concrete girders, totaling more than 4,000 feet, and will have 2,670 linear feet of new guardrail. The south end arch was raised by about two feet, and there is a new paved concrete bridge deck.

The $25.2 million upgrade was funded in the 2015 Connecting Washington state funding package. Information about the project, including photos taken at various stages of construction, can be found online at wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR107/chehalisriverbridgerehab/default.htm.

COURTESY STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Final paving was completed by Rognlin’s Construction crews on the State Route 107 Chehalis River Bridge in south Montesano Tuesday, and two-way traffic reopened Wednesday.

COURTESY STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Final paving was completed by Rognlin’s Construction crews on the State Route 107 Chehalis River Bridge in south Montesano Tuesday, and two-way traffic reopened Wednesday.

COURTESY STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Final paving was completed by Rognlin's Construction crews on the State Route 107 Chehalis River Bridge in south Montesano Tuesday, and two-way traffic reopened Wednesday.

COURTESY STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Final paving was completed by Rognlin’s Construction crews on the State Route 107 Chehalis River Bridge in south Montesano Tuesday, and two-way traffic reopened Wednesday.